Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Technician Trainees

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

The Board issues two types of pharmacy technician registrations, as follows:

  • A Pharmacy Technician is an individual whose responsibility in a pharmacy is to provide technical services that do not require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs. A Pharmacy Technician works under the direct supervision of and is responsible to a pharmacist.

  • A Pharmacy Technician Trainee registration allows an individual to participate in a pharmacy’s technician training program and work towards certification from an approved national certification organization. This registration is valid for two years and is NOT renewable or extendable for ANY reason.


I am a pharmacy technician training program instructor—what should I know to help my students through this process?

Please see important information for your students on our website here.

Which registration should I apply for?

Applicants can only apply for ONE of the applications described above. Applicants should make sure to submit the correct application. Be sure to carefully review the application options to determine which application is best for you. Application fees are non-refundable. TSBP will not refund fees for applications submitted or made in error.


Click on the blue button below to help you determine
which registration you should apply for and to start the application process.

Which technician application is right for me?

My application expired—what should I do?

Incomplete applications expire one year from initial submission. You will need to complete a new application in order to reapply. Please note that TSBP cannot apply application fees from an expired application to a new application.


Do I need to complete a formal training program to become a pharmacy technician?

No. TSBP does not currently require pharmacy technician applicants to complete a formal training program.

However, if an applicant wishes to complete an approved formal training program, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy approves pharmacy technician training programs accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE).

You can find the ASHP/ACPE-accredited program directory by clicking here.


NOTE: If you have or have ever had a pharmacy technician trainee or pharmacy technician registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, you CANNOT apply as an initial applicant. Go to the Licensees page for more information.